(obsolete) Originally a large range of transparent or glisteningfoliated minerals. Examples includemica,selenite and the hydrated magnesium silicate that the term talc generally has referred to in modern times (see below). Also an item made of such a mineral and depending for its function on the special nature of the mineral (see next). Medieval writers adopted the term from the Arabic.[2]
(obsolete) Amicroscope slide made of a plate of mica, generally in use from the start of modern microscopy until the early nineteenth century, after which glass slides became the standard medium.[2]
1787,George Adams,Essays on the Microscope; containing a Practical Description of the most Improved Microscopes: a General History of Insects, their Transformations, Peculiar Habits, and Œconomy: an Account of the Various Species and Singular Properties of the Hydræ and Vorticellæ: a Description of Three Hundred and Seventy-nine Animalcula; with a Concise Catalogue of Interesting Objects: a View of the Organization of Timber, and the Configuration of Salts when under the Microscope, London: Printed for the author, byRobert Hindmarsh, Printer to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, No. 32, Clerkenwell-Close; and sold by the author, at his Shop,Tycho Brahe's Head, No. 60,Fleet-Street,→OCLC,page 7:
M.[Antonie van] Leeuwenhoek fixed his objects, if they were ſolid, to the foregoing point with glue; if they were fluid, he fitted them on a little plate oftalc, or exceeding thin blown glaſs, which he afterwards glued to the needle, in the ſame manner as his other objects.
A soft mineral, composed of hydrated magnesium silicate, that has a soapy feel and a greenish, whitish, or grayish color, and usually occurs infoliated masses.
1856,Life in Brazil, page103:
The abeer is often mixed with powderedtalc to make it glitter, and then, if it gets into the eyes, it causes a good deal of pain.
1978, C. J. Parmentier with G. J. Gill, “Practical Aspects of Talc and Asbestos”, in C. C. Gravatt, Philip D. LaFleur, Kurt F. J. Heinrich, editors,Proceedings of Workshop on Asbestos, Definitions and Measurement Methods,page406:
With this background and experience we feel justified in stating that not alltalcs contain, or are associated with, asbestos.
1987, Joseph A. Radosta with Nikhil C. Trivedi, “Talc”, in H. S. Katz, J. V. Mileski, editors,Handbook of Fillers For Plastics,page217:
For example, Montanatalcs approximate the theoretical composition, while Californiatalcs often contain calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite (CaCO3 • MgCO3).
2003, Harutun Karian,Handbook of Polypropylene and Polypropylene Composites, revised & expanded edition,page573:
Micronizedtalcs and, to an even higher degree, submicrometertalcs significantly influence the processing parameters.
"Generoustalcing" is applied not only to the naked bale, but to the inside of the wrapper, and after stenciling, to the interior of the package. Thistalcing is repeated, "if necessary, dependent upon the number of handlings up to and into stores for steamer loading."
1977, Great Britain Health, Safety Executive,Manufacturing & Service Industries,page43:
Three manufacturers have now produced separate designs fortalcing boxes; one uses conventional techniques of brushing and vibrators, one is a fluidised bed and the third is an electrostatic applicator.
1983, Aaron Elkins,The Dark Place, published2010,page107:
Then hetalced his hands, slipped on a new pair of rubber gloves, went to the shapeless thing at the other end of the table, and began to work.
